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READ MORE - Newbridge stalwart Damian Kronk passes 450 games
READ MORE - BENDIGO ADDY FOOTY CHALLENGE - Week two scores
BENDIGO LEAGUE - ROUND 3
Maryborough v Eaglehawk
2.20pm Saturday at Maryborough.
Fantastic for the Magpies to get an early win last week against Castlemaine, but there's a massive step-up in opposition on Saturday.
The Hawks make the trip to Princes Park off an impressive second-half showing against South Bendigo last week led by a best-on-ground performance from ruckman Richard Tibbett, who has made a strong return to Canterbury Park.
Last time: Eaglehawk 22.18 (150) d Maryborough 8.8 (56).
Since 1995: Eaglehawk 30; Maryborough 20.
Kangaroo Flat v Gisborne
2.20pm Saturday at Kangaroo Flat.
Clearly not the start new Kangaroo Flat coach Rob Bennett was hoping for in his first season at Dower Park, with his Roos managing just seven goals across the first two rounds against Sandhurst and Golden Square.
And it's not going to get any easier this week as the up-and-about Gisborne makes the trip up the Calder.
The Bulldogs are 2-0 and with a massive percentage of 335.0 after booting 38 goals to 10 in a pair of 93 and 95-point wins over Castlemaine and Kyneton.
Last time: Gisborne 11.11 (77) d Kangaroo Flat 7.11 (53).
Head to head: Gisborne 27; Kangaroo Flat 12.
Castlemaine v Kyneton
2.20pm Saturday at Castlemaine.
Both teams will be desperate for their first wins of the season in what's a game being played under the banner of the BFNL Pride Cup that aims to celebrate diversity and inclusion in sport.
One common denominator among the two teams so far is they have both played Gisborne and lost by a similar margin - Castlemaine by 93 and Kyneton by 95.
Castlemaine blew what may well be one of its best winning chances of the season against Maryborough last week, but back on its home deck is faced with another seemingly strong opportunity to notch its first victory since round one last year. Can they Magpies capitalise this time?
Last time: Kyneton 14.22 (106) d Castlemaine 7.6 (48).
Since 1995: Castlemaine 26; Kyneton 21.
South Bendigo v Sandhurst
2.20pm Saturday at QEO.
After both teams started with a win in round one, both were defeated last week.
An early trend the Bloods will be keen to arrest is their poor third terms, having been outscored 82-12 by Eaglehawk and Maryborough in the "premiership quarter" across their first two games.
The Dragons were undermanned in their 46-point loss to Strathfieldsaye last week and if the Bloods can bring four quarters of intensity to the contest an early opportunity to claim a scalp of note isn't out of the question.
Last time: Sandhurst 16.18 (114) d South Bendigo 7.9 (51).
Since 1995: Sandhurst 28; South Bendigo 26.
Strathfieldsaye v Golden Square
2.20pm Saturday at Strathfieldsaye.
It's a club milestone day for Strathfieldsaye with the Storm, born in 2009, to play their 200th senior match.
Fittingly, the milestone is against one of the club's great rivals in Golden Square, with both teams going into the clash undefeated.
The Storm has been quick to put the league on notice with a pair of wins over Eaglehawk and Sandhurst in which they have conceded just three first-half goals.
Golden Square has done what was expected in the first two rounds by handling Kyneton (43 points) and Kangaroo Flat (72), with this the first big test to get a gauge of just how the Bulldogs stack up against the competition's top echelon.
Last time: Strathfieldsaye 13.13 (91) d Golden Square 3.6 (24).
Head to head: Strathfieldsaye 13; Golden Square 13.
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LODDON VALLEY LEAGUE - ROUND 4
Newbridge v Inglewood
2.15pm Saturday at Newbridge.
The reigning premier Maroons were comprehensively outplayed by Mitiamo last week in which coach Brad Comer was left to lament his side's "reactive" style of footy as they were dictated to by the Superoos.
The Maroons should bounce back with a win over the Blues, who need to rid costly lapses from their game, like the third quarter against Bridgewater last week.
Last time: Newbridge 16.23 (119) d Inglewood 7.5 (47).
Since 1995: Newbridge 37; Inglewood 11.
Marong v Pyramid Hill
2.15pm Saturday at Marong.
Plenty of talk early in the season about the impressive start the Bulldogs have made, opening with a pair of wins over Bridgewater and Mitiamo by a combined 139 points before a bye last week.
The Bulldogs are already a far more attacking side to the one that averaged just 72 points last year, booting scores of 123 and 119 in their first two games.
A great test in the annual Michael Herrick Memorial Game for Marong, which if it wasn't for a one-point loss to Maiden Gully YCW last week would be 3-0.
Last time: Pyramid Hill 11.14 (80) d Marong 3.8 (26).
Head to head: Pyramid Hill 39; Marong 13.
Mitiamo v BL-Serpentine
2.15pm Saturday at Mitiamo.
Last week's 72-point hammering of Newbridge was more of what was expected of the Superoos this year as opposed to the 55-point belting off Pyramid Hill the week before.
The Bears have beaten bottom two sides Inglewood and Calivil United in their first two games, but this clash against one of the top flag contenders will help gauge their credentials.
Last time: Mitiamo 17.15 (117) d BL-Serpentine 6.2 (38) - elimination final.
Since 1995: Mitiamo 31; BL-Serpentine 21; Drawn 1.
Bridgewater v Calivil United
2.15pm Saturday at Bridgewater.
Big day for the Mean Machine, who will be determined to ensure Darren Clutton's 200th game for the club is a memorable one.
It's also a big day for Calivil United - lose this one and the Demons drop to 0-4, making it a long haul back into the season from there.
Last time: Bridgewater 11.13 (79) d Calivil United 10.10 (70).
Since 1995: Bridgewater 25; Calivil United 25.
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HEATHCOTE DISTRICT LEAGUE - ROUND 3
Elmore v Leitchville-Gunbower
2.15pm Saturday at Elmore.
The Bloods have copped plenty of hidings off the Bombers in recent years - Leitchville-Gunbower has won 12 straight over Elmore by an average of 119 points.
The Bombers will start favourites to win again, but the improved Bloods, coming off a win over Huntly last week, should be able to produce a far more competitive scoreline.
Last time: Leitchville-Gunbower 29.18 (192) d Elmore 2.4 (16).
Head to Head: Leitchville-Gunbower 12; Elmore 6.
North Bendigo v White Hills
2.15pm Saturday at North Bendigo.
Aarryn Craig plays his 200th senior game for the Bulldogs in this home clash against the Demons.
Given what's transpired so far this season - the Bulldogs have notched two big wins and the Demons two heavy losses - Craig's 200th milestone match should be celebrated with a comfortable North Bendigo triumph.
That is unless the Demons stand up and start to deliver on the pre-season hype they generated with their big signings.
Last time: North Bendigo 24.19 (163) d White Hills 10.11 (71).
Head to Head: North Bendigo 34; White Hills 18.
Colbinabbin v Heathcote
2.15pm Saturday at Colbinabbin.
The Grasshoppers have been ravaged by injury early in the season, particularly in their front half with Daniel Connors, Ryan Hon, Nick Knight and Hugh Hamilton.
The Grasshoppers' depth is being tested early, but they should have enough to get over the line against Heathcote, whose only game so far has been a 136-point loss to LBU before a bye last week.
Last time: Colbinabbin 24.14 (158) d Heathcote 6.9 (45).
Since 1995: Colbinabbin 35; Heathcote 21.
LBU v Huntly
2.15pm Saturday at Lockington.
How good have the Cats been! They made another big statement against Colbinabbin on Good Friday last week with their fast-paced brand in which the forward duo of Thomas Leech (six) and Patrick Gardiner (four) combined for 10 goals.
Would take a big effort from the rebuilding Hawks, who are 0-2, to challenge the red-hot Cats at Lockington.
Last time: LBU 15.12 (102) d Huntly 10.13 (73).
Head to Head: LBU 29; Huntly 9.
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